BOSTON — More than $68,000 in donations have poured in from people around the country for a Boston homeless man who turned over to police a backpack stuffed with cash that he had found outside a shopping mall.

The man, Glen James, landed in the spotlight earlier this month when Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis lauded him for turning over the bag containing $42,000, which was eventually returned to its owner.

James’ act inspired a man in Virginia to set up a fund to help him “change his life.”

Just three days later, the online fund had brought in $68,012 from 2,698 donors, many of whom left messages of praise for James, including: “Such a beautiful person. Reduced me to tears,” and “We have a lot to learn from you.”

James, who told local media he is in his mid-50s and cannot work because of an inner-ear condition that affects his balance, has been living at a Boston-area homeless shelter and panhandles during the day.